Hoyer vs Clyburn for #2 spot in House Democratic caucus

posted at 12:15 pm on November 8, 2010 by Ed Morrissey

In a normal post-election process after a big loss, the party that lost its House majority would shed its previous leader and either look to previous leadership for a move upward or get fresh blood at the top. Democrats have apparently chosen the worst of both worlds. Nancy Pelosi’s decision to remain in control of the caucus has now forced a game of musical chairs that threatens to split the caucus, as both Steny Hoyer and James Clyburn want the #2 slot:

The fallout of Nancy Pelosi’s decision to stay in power — and her failure so far to engineer a smooth transition for her lieutenants — continued to ripple through the Democratic Caucus over the weekend as Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Jim Clyburn of South Carolina battled for the votes needed to become minority whip.

Hoyer’s allies said early Sunday that their man is poised for victory and is ready to identify a new batch of supporters from a broad cross section within the Democratic Caucus.

At the same time, during an interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Clyburn left open the possibility that there might be a broader deal that would leave both he and Hoyer in the leadership.

But Clyburn’s camp is also privately telling members that he’s on the verge of locking down the votes he needs to win.

Pelosi apparently tried to get Clyburn to accept the only other leadership position remaining, the caucus chair, currently held by John Larson of Connecticut. Clyburn refused to accept a “demotion,” however, even though the entire leadership structure just got “demoted” by the voters. Instead, Clyburn began campaigning with the remainder of the caucus from the 111th Session to displace Hoyer from his current #2 position, which has forced Hoyer to participate in the infighting to hold onto any leadership post at all.

Actually, Clyburn might have been well positioned to fight for the top spot, especially among the progressives that more or less survived the Republican teanami on Tuesday. Hoyer is seen as more moderate in both policy and tone, while Clyburn offers members the same progressive agenda of Pelosi with a brand-new face for voters. In a fight between the two for a top spot, the minority whip position would have easily been handled as a consolation prize that would keep both in Democratic leadership, while Pelosi exited and removed the millstone she represented in the midterm elections from around their necks.

Instead, Pelosi’s efforts to keep her grip on power have created a potentially nasty and divisive fight over the crumbs left to Democrats after their midterm collapse. Maybe Democrats ought to keep that me-first agenda in mind when they decide whether they want Pelosi to lead them into another election in two years, and into battle with Republicans in the next Congress.

Breaking on Hot Air

Blowback

Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.

I think you understate exactly how repellent Clyburn is. He’s a one-trick pony whose only weapon is a race card which has been swiped out for years.

Making him a face of the caucus over Hoyer, who is about as much of a leftist as Clyburn or Pelosi but who is much better at spinning things in public as either, is a massive mistake for the Dems IMHO.

I am shocked, shocked to learn that Steny Hoyer is a straight-up racist who only cares about maintaining his own personal position of privilege, rather than being willing to step aside so a poor Black man can advance. For shame!

Pappy – I find that one pretty innocuous – a polite gesture in response to traditional Hindu greetings. Not like bowing to the Saudi king or Japanese emperor. Not something to get people stirred up over.

Too funny. Affirmative-Action Nitwit Clyburn refuses to take a demotion.

Put another batch of popcorn in the kettle, Ma, this should be great fun! Now the CBC will be agitating against the DemWit Caucus while getting flanked by Colonel West on the right. No prisoners, Colonel West.

Give the gavel to Stenny Hoyer…and more of the same Pelosiesque Dem policies, programs, graft and all the rest will continue to roll from the Dem side. Hoyer is more slimy than a Maryland Snakehead…and more dangerous.

Don’t give the gavel to Clyburn and the Dems essentially tell Blacks “thanks for all your help getting Dems elected over the years, but ya still can’t sit in the parlor with the proper folk.”

And, there is something troubling about Clyburn becoming the minority whip…yes, whip…harkens back to the days of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The imagery is just unsettling, to say the least.

Would not want to be in the senior Dem House leadership right now, it is a no win all the way around.

Probably prevent a lot of trouble by just keeping Pelosi around as the Minority Leader.

Benefit: Pelosi will probably get voted out in 2012…and the Dems can effectively blame her for the overall losses.

It’s a good thing that the Republican’s huge victories were completely due to “poor messaging” on the part of Democrats. Because if it was really due to the American people rejecting Obama’s agenda, then Clyburn would have died 1,000,000 deaths from the pain of the 1,000,000 virtual lynchings that he felt the racist American electorate delivering to his jugular last tuesday.

Between Clyburn and Pelosi, I don’t think we can lose. They are both very dim bulbs and serve us well as representatives of the loony party. Steny Hoyer we should fear on the other hand, because he can come across as a reasonable man, and he does have a brain in his head.